Next chapter opens

Bears, McNown look ahead in light of trade to Miami

August 24, 2001|By John Mullin, Tribune staff reporter.

Thursday was the first day of the post-Cade McNown "era" in Bears football. Not surprisingly, the waters already had closed in behind the ship that took McNown to the Miami Dolphins, and other than a small ripple here and there, it was difficult to find much evidence that the former No. 1 pick had ever been here.

The Bears went about their preparations for Saturday's exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals, a game in which Shane Matthews will start at quarterback but Jim Miller will take most of the snaps. The game looms as Miller's second and last opportunity to win the No. 1 role from Matthews, and indeed he is getting a full chance to win the job.

There were few words spent on McNown and more spent on the statement being made by his trade to the Dolphins.

"The decisions we're making here are to get us in a position to win," Miller said.

"They didn't feel we were getting there with Cade. All I can say is that every time you put on a helmet, you decide whether you're going to be here or not. You have to play well. That's the thing that I'm trying to focus on."

Danny Wuerffel has had the No. 3 quarterback job for the last couple of weeks. Wuerffel won the Heisman Trophy in 1996, two years before McNown finished third behind New Orleans' Ricky Williams--another No. 1 shopped in the trade market this year--and Michael Bishop. McNown's departure did not change Wuerffel's situation except to give the former Florida All-American a little more job security.

"I feel incredibly blessed to have gotten the opportunity to get a few reps and then to be in this position," Wuerffel said. "I'm very thankful."

The obvious unhappiness of the moment showed in the face of John Shoop. It was Shoop who as quarterbacks coach in 1999 was handed the McNown project and who as de facto offensive coordinator the last eight months has been charged with trying to teach McNown a different offense.

Shoop fared no better with his system than he did trying to work McNown into Gary Crowton's. Asked his feelings on McNown's leaving the Bears, Shoop's face tightened and he took his time before answering.

"I've got a lot of time and feelings invested in Cade McNown," Shoop said. "I'm certainly disappointed that it didn't work out the way any of us wanted. We got to a point where we felt like the other three guys were a better fit and the time would be better spent with them."

Not surprisingly, McNown clearly believed his time would be better spent in Miami. He has gone from a starter to fighting for a job as a No. 3 behind two mediocre quarterbacks, and his tenure in Chicago matched the shortest stay for a No. 1 draft choice since tackle Rufus Mayes (1969) lasted only one season.

McNown said that among the advice given to him by Miami personnel vice president Rick Spielman was, "Don't say anything stupid." He acknowledged that Chicago had been a bad situation for him but stopped short of declaring that the experience had given him any humility personally.

"Anytime you go through a losing season in the NFL, it brings back humility for everyone involved," McNown said. "And it's tough to handle. But at the same time you're going to be stronger because you went through that fire. I feel like I've gone through some tough times and I'm a better man because of it."